How to change therapist on Talkspace

When you join Talkspace, its algorithm will match you with potential therapists based on your live therapy preferences, requirements, and what mental health services and therapists are available.

One of the best features of the online therapy platform is that you can choose a therapist from a provided list, making it more convenient than searching for in-person therapy in your location.

But, once you’ve chosen a therapist and started working with them, you might find they’re not meeting your mental health requirements. If you’re unhappy with your current therapist, you can change them for someone new with whom you might be a better match.

This article shows you how to change therapists on Talkspace, and what information you need to know.

How to change therapist on Talkspace: 2 Easy Methods

How you change your Talkspace mental health therapist depends on the device you’re using to access the platform. You can use Talkspace services from various devices, such as your laptop, computer, or smartphone.

Here are the steps to follow.

On Desktop and On App (IOS/Android):

1. Log into Talkspace
2. Click on username
   • Enter your private therapy room
   • Choose ‘Change provider’
3. Choose ‘Menu’
4. Choose ‘Select’ new provider
5. Choose ‘Change Therapist’

On desktop

Here are the steps in greater detail.

1. Log into your Talkspace account and click on your username.
2. From the dropdown menu, choose ‘Change provider.’ Or, choose ‘View payment and plan,’ then choose the plan you’re using for which you want to change providers.
3. Answer a few questions about your therapist preferences before receiving new matches.
4. Choose ‘Select’ to pick a new provider. If you’re unsatisfied with the selections, choose ‘Get matched again.’
5. Your chat history-sharing preferences will come up. This allows you to share your chat history with your new therapist. If you want to, click ‘Confirm.’ Then, click ‘Continue with [new mental health provider name]’ to confirm the changes.

On the Talkspace app (IOS/Android)

1. Log into the Talkspace app and go to your private room where you consult with your mental health therapist.
2. Choose the menu icon on the left of the screen or swipe right to access ‘My account’ or ‘Settings’ from your menu.
3. Select the ‘Change therapist’ option.

What to do if the above steps don’t work

If you followed the above instructions to change therapists, but it didn’t work, you should contact Talkspace to ensure you get a speedy response. You can email partners-support@talkspace.com. The online therapy support staff will get in touch to help you find a new therapist on the platform. Note that this can take up to three business days.

Signs you should change your Talkspace therapist

You should feel comfortable changing your Talkspace therapists at any time, but here are some situations in which it’s recommended to do so as it will ensure you can receive the mental and physical health care you require and deserve.

You’re not making progress. If your therapist isn’t tracking your progress or helping you reach your therapy goals, you might feel like you’re not moving forward or getting better.

Your therapist makes too much – or too little – contact. Too much contact can feel like your therapist is crossing boundaries, such as if you receive a string of texts outside of your therapy sessions together. This can be problematic for anyone, such as if you’re an empath who struggles to set boundaries. On the other hand, too little contact can make you feel like you can’t reach your therapist when you need them.

Your therapist doesn’t really make you feel heard. You want your therapist to listen to and acknowledge what you’re saying. If they dismiss what you say or don’t understand your feelings, this can be frustrating and hold you back.

Common issues members experience with changing therapists on Talkspace

Some of the most common issues that Talkspace members experience on the platform include the following:

Therapist matches aren’t comprehensive

Although changing therapists on Talkspace seems straightforward, this isn’t always true. The therapist profiles from which you can find a new match aren’t very comprehensive, and you’ll only get three therapist choices during the matching process.

As stated on the Open Counseling website,  “The therapist bios are so minimal that I could not get a good feel for whether a therapist was a good match by reading them. This was true even for someone like me, a therapist who knows a lot about how therapy works.”

You have to provide reasons why you want a new therapist

Some people who’ve gone through the process of changing therapists on Talkspace have reported that they had to leave a negative star review for their previous therapist and write why they wanted to change therapists.

You might also have to read a short piece about giving your current therapist a chance, which could be frustrating if you want to complete the process so you can continue on your therapy journey.

You might encounter technical difficulties during the process

A review of Talkspace on Trustpilot states, “I tried to switch providers, but whenever I’d get to the final step of switching, I’d just get a message saying “something went wrong – check your internet connection and try again.”

Contacting customer support can also be difficult and challenging.

You might struggle to find the right online therapy providers

Some members on the Talkspace online therapy platform have reported issues with finding a therapist they like.

The therapist-matching process can take longer than 48 hours

For some people, getting matched with a therapist can take weeks. As someone reports on Trustpilot, “It took 4 weeks for Talkspace to match me with a therapist. I received multiple emails and messages that Talkspace was “trying to match” me with a therapist.”

Frequently asked questions

If you have some questions about how Talkspace therapy services work or what its mental health care providers are all about, here are some frequently asked questions.

How are you matched with a therapist on Talkspace?

During the signup process for Talkspace, you’ll get matched with a licensed therapist based on your therapy requirements and preferences. Ideally, you’ll be matched with a therapist within 48 hours.

Are Talkspace providers licensed?

Talkspace providers are licensed and credentialed with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). They have to go through an extensive onboarding evaluation to ensure they meet certain healthcare requirements and qualifications. Therapists are trained in various courses, such as existential therapy and exposure therapy grief counseling.

Can you pause your treatment on Talkspace?

You might want to pause your Talkspace subscription if you’re in-between therapists. You can do this for seven days at a time. To pause your treatment, log into your account and click on your username at the top left corner of the screen. Choose the dropdown menu and select ‘View payment and plan.’ Then, select ‘Pause therapy.’

Can you go back to a previous Talkspace provider?

If you change your mind and want to work with one of your previous Talkspace mental health professionals again, you must email Talkspace at support@talkspace.com. Message them from the email address linked to your Talkspace account for a speedy response.

Conclusion

Switching therapists on Talkspace is simple, whether you access the mental health platform from your cell phone or computer. How the platform’s therapy sessions work is that after requesting a new provider, you’ll be able to select one from a list so you can continue making use of the best online therapy programs and services right at your fingertips.

Image source:
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash